Customer Reviews

Writing the Nonfiction Book (The Successful Writer's Guides)

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I had very high hopes of this book offering some genuine insights and useful pointers, but, having grown tired of both Ms Shaw's repeated references to herself and how successful she is at writing, and the (largely empty) promises that this book shows you absoultely everything you need to do to get published, I gave up, frustrated and irritated in equal measure.

I can't take seriously any book which at one point seems to be preparing you for an imminent appearance on Oprah and then offers a crash course in basic punctuation. I also resent Ms Shaw's assertion that we prefer reading at a sixth-grade level. I for one found her sixth-grade writing style both patronising and irritating. You, of course, may not.

This book is also woefully also short on detail and the nitty-gritty. If, for example, you're going to devote an entire chaper to the production of a book proposal, would it not make sense to provide some examples? Ms Shaw evidently doesn't think so, because there aren't any. Similarly, her "advice" for interviewing seems more concerned with what you should wear than what questions to ask and how to ask them.

This book might be mildly useful to those looking to produce a simple book on looking after goldfish, but for those of us who are a bit more ambitious - and who think writing should be more than just knocking together something that a sixth-grader could read - look elsewhere.

I was exceptionally disappointed with this book. The book's content is a far cry from the unanimous five-star ratings and glowing reviews which present this book as a panacea for nonfiction writers. The principle of something appearing "too good to be true" is applicable here and I regret not recognizing that before blowing $... and wasting an evening of precious reading/writing time.

My disappointment was foreshadowed early on in the book when the author stated that authors are often thought of as experts on a subject simply because they've written a book on it. Indeed, this book is a classic example of that fallacious reasoning. First, the content is EXTREMELY elementary. There is little presented here that goes above and beyond common sense and a half-day writing seminar. Actually that's not entirely true; with this book you do get plenty of superfluous material you wouldn't get at a seminar. There's lots of filler here, including the things we already learned from our mothers and teachers: dress well, take some lunch money, and go to the bathroom before an interview. The reader has the feeling throughout the book of being talked down to like some low-IQ, spastic rookie who really has no business trying to write a book in the first place. But the author blends comfort with condescension, assuring us that if we follow her impeccable expertise, we can be a master like her.

The Table of Contents appears to be the highlight of the book, leading potential readers to believe that the book really does cover everything. Unfortunately it turns out to be little more than an effective marketing tool, as chapter after chapter continues to disappoint. Adding to the frustration of turning every page hoping that it will contain some useful information, the reader is continuously subjected to the author's shameless self-promotion as she creatively, but awkwardly inserts plugs for many of her own books.

The author has also done a fine job recruiting colleagues and acquaintances to help her promote this book as reflected in the Foreward by Dan Poynter (I'm disappointed in you Dan) and the reviews on the back cover. The reality is that this book is 60 percent fluff, 20 percent self-promotion, and no more than 20 percent valuable information. After being forced to read (in this book) about the wide array of other books by this author, I'm left with the conclusion that the author tries to be a jack of all trades, but falls short of being even the master of the one she presents herself to be in this book.

This is definitely NOT a book for "serious" beginning writers. It is geared more toward the dreamer and the wannabe.

Eva Shaw's Writing The Nonfiction Book is a compendium of practical tips and anecdotal information on the art and science of writing, producing, and marketing nonfiction books. Whether an aspiring author seeking to be published, or an experienced professional, Writing The Nonfiction Book has something to commend it, from determining the marketability of a book concept to creating the manuscript, to finding an agent, to securing a publisher. Easy-to-follow steps explain how to format, complete, and market any kind of nonfiction book regardless of subject matter. Writing The Nonfiction Book is highly recommended reading and will prove an invaluable asset to the entire process from assessing an original idea for a book to marketing and promotion the finished tome.

I'm in the middle of writing my second nonfiction book. I wish I'd had Eva Shaw's book when i began. It would have saved me months of frustration and pain.

The advice in this book is simple, direct, and to the point. There is no theory here, only things that worked for Eva Shaw and enabled her to put 40 titles on bookstore shelves.

Is it the complete book on writing nonfiction? No.

I'd supplement it with "Damn! Why Didn't I Write That' by Marc McCutcheon, 'Writing Down the Bones,' by Natalie Goldberg, 'The Craft of Research, 2nd Ed.' by Wayne Booth, Creative Nonfiction by Philip Gerard and 'The New Journalism' by Robert Boynton.

WRITING THE NONFICTION BOOK contains all the information and inspiration any writer needs to turn an idea into a best seller. Eva Shaw has published over 40 books and she knows and loves her subject. This concise, easy-to-read guide includes the material she presents to universities and conferences all over the United States. It tells how to plan a book,choose a subject, brush up writing skills, do effective research, organize the material, and stay focused. Eva devotes chapters to successful interviewing, writing proposals, finding the right agent and publisher, self-publishing, overcoming self-doubts and staying enthusiastic. She explains how to profit from writers conferences and workshops. WRITING THE NONFICTION BOOK tells how to increase your chances for success, how to target readers, and how to market and promote your book. If you want to write, read this book. It will get you started, keep you going and empower you to make your dream of writing a book come true. Maryanne Raphael, Writers World

Priceless gems found nowhere else? No. But worth reading, particularly if you are looking to find out what publishing a book is all about? Absolutely.

The message in this book is positive (yes, you can do it), yet realistic (don't kid yourself, this takes work). Shaw walks you through the entire process, from picking a topic through interviewing and organizing the book to writing a proposal, getting a contract, and promoting your work.

Ms. Shaw refreshingly uses clean, light prose that's easy to digest. An unexpected treat were the creative writing exercises scattered throughout the chapters. Are creative writing exercises necessary for someone who's trying to publish a book? Perhaps not, but they illustrate one of Shaw's core messages: the need to refresh yourself and to enjoy what you are doing.

Another core message -- and a critical one for idealistic would-be authors -- is that while writing is, well, writing, publishing is a business. It's fine to write because you want to, but to write as a career, you need to please your audience: your agent, editor, readers. You must fill a need -- to educate and/or to entertain -- or nobody will want to read your work. And you must promote your writing, or else no matter how useful, no one will know about it.

If you are willing to put in the work described in this book: identify your competition, understand the market, articulate your qualifications as a writer and the book's unique slant, and come up with and carry out a realistic promotional plan (oh, yeah, somewhere in there you have to actually write the book, too...) then you have a real chance of success. However, if just reading Shaw's advice seems distasteful or tiring, you should rethink your goals.

Writing the Nonfiction Book is not perfect. The most basic thing is missing: a sample proposal, or at least a sample query. Chapter 5 ("The Specifics of Nonfiction Genre") showcases eight somewhat overlapping kinds of nonfiction books, but overlooks many others of an informative nature (science, history, nature, reference, current events, etc.)

Nonetheless, this book is worth reading. You must learn about the process somehow -- why not in this enjoyable, informative book.

As you read through Writing the Nonfiction Book, Eva will move into your writing life and become your mentor. Should you ever get muddled or begin to doubt that you have what it takes, you will sense that she is sitting next to you, coaching you on. Her words, straight from these pages, will come back to you as you stare at the computer screen, and suddenly the process will make sense. DanPoynter@ParaPublishing.com, author of Writing Nonfiction: Turning Thoughts into Books.

Eva gives very thorough directions for researching and writing the nonfiction book. She helps those who have blocks against certain areas of nonfiction by suggesting methods to overcome reluctance. In a very clear style, all the aspects are covered, from pre-researching an idea to publication processes. Included also are writing the Proposal, a thorough explanation of manuscript form, and interviewing techniques. Her down-to-earth style will particularly aid those who don't enjoy dissecting bunches of flowery prose as a prelude to giving the facts. The book is clear, complete, and concise. Special points are highlighted in sidebars. This book can cross genres because many of the suggestions apply to any manuscript. The amount of information given is remarkable. Encouragement to write is amply provided in the form of starter experiments. This thorough book will amaze you in its attention to detail. It contains all the information you need to write a nonfiction book.

I can prove Eva's book works because I just sold my first non-fiction book to 10 Speed Press. WRITING THE NON-FICTION BOOK offers not only what you need for a successful book proposal, but Eva's encouragement and inspiration to keep you motivated to achieve your dreams. I am a fiction writer and had an idea for a how-to book. I knew nothing of the non-fiction requirements for submittal. Armed with the knowledge and the power in WRITING THE NON-FICTION book, I was able to be confident in my proposal and approach to gain a contract my first time out. Eva Shaw is the best at what she does giving you as a writer and a person the tools and magic to succeed.

How does Eva Shaw know how to write and sell a nonfiction book? She's done it dozens of times, and she shares all of the details in this book. This is a step-by-step manual for anyone who wants to be a successful author.